John Lennon's "Imagine" is played (original version) over B&W scenes of what looked like communist China, with a parade of soldiers. I remember a shot of Stalin saluting somewhere in here as well. The part of the song played was of course "...and no religion too...", implying that no religion equals communist China.so the irony meter has recovered for another hour...
In the mainstream media accounts, the Associated Press article said “The scientists argue evolution is a scientific fact…”. As one of the three scientists at the press conference, I can say confidently that I didn’t say those words, nor did I hear my colleagues say them. That particular phrasing is guaranteed to make many people stop listening to what one is saying, and it is more than annoying to have such inept words stuffed in our mouths.
Stephen D. Price reported for the Tallahassee Democrat, filing an 11.5 column-inch article that appeared on page 8A on April 15th. Price’s problem went the other direction. While he gave a response from Alan Hays concerning a question about how the wording of the bill brings creationism into the classroom (Hays answered that his bill did not even mention religion), Price failed to even hint that he had an extended response from both myself and Vic Walczak on that point that completely rebutted the know-nothingism of Hays. I pointed out the the bill didn’t specify what would be taught and was all about permitting things to be taught at the teacher’s discretion. I pointed out that we knew from experience what teachers do use when they broach “alternatives” in the classroom: the same old religious antievolution arguments.
Every black father knows the drill. You instruct your sons how to behave when police officers point their weapons at you.
Now, if you don't happen to be black you'll probably never have to go through this little exercise. However, if you are black - - you damn well better.
Let me make it clear I have no problem with law enforcement. I think that the brave men and women who have to deal with the bad guys on a regular basis should be commended for the work they do. Heck, I even made an educational film some years ago because kids needed to be taught about police work, and respect those that do an often tough and thankless job.
However, back to my main point. This morning my son and I drove to the bank to make a withdrawal from the ATM machine. You can imagine our surprise when we returned home only to face police officers with their weapons drawn.
If you’ve watched enough cop movies you know the drill by now. I can only tell you that even this old cartoonist could not find any humor in this particular situation.
In time, tensions eased, and the officers explained their sudden visit to my home. It appeared, according to an "eye witness," our behavior was "suspicious." Let me say once again that our "suspicious" behavior consisted of parking my car and making a withdrawal from the bank ATM. My son, Brandon does not look like a gang banger, and this old man quickly approaching age 73, could hardly be considered a threat. But, here we are anyway.
If my mind wasn't made up - - it is now. Barak Obama has my vote. America needs a black president if for no other reason than to remind American citizens everywhere that it's about damn time we make some changes.
There's an evil tableaux for you: the callous torturer stands up with blood on his hands and a lie in his teeth, while the priest draped in guilt reassures him of his righteousness. How often has that scene played out in history, I wonder?hmm...Henry II, Richard I, Henry V, Henry VIII, Mary I, Elizabeth I, James I, Charles I, and that's just the English Kings...nevermind the perpetrators of the Inquisition or the worst abusers of the Crusades (oh, sorry, named Richard I twice) or the Witch hunts or the 30 Years War or ...
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timeasmymeasure
